Mara of the Acoma is taking her final vows as a priestess when she learns that her father and brother have died in the Riftwar. As the only surviving member of the Acoma, she is now the Ruling Lady and must prepare to defend her estates and the people sworn to her service while dodging assassins. Honor also demands that she avenge her father and brother because they were betrayed on the battlefield by a commander belonging to the more powerful Minwanabi family. As a noble daughter, she wasn't educated to lead the house in politics and battle, but Mara quickly proves that she is intelligent, bold, and willing to bend tradition to her advantage. Only fools underestimate a woman determined to have her revenge.